Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17949, George Fifer, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Fifer, George
S. 17949
CONTENTS
carded

Virginia
23.773
George Filer of Augusta in the State of Va who was a ser t in the comman by Captain of the  comman by Col. Surratt in the Pa. line for bounties.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20 - Dollars Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of April 1834 and M rs J. Kinney Stanton Va.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1830 60 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 11 " 10
$ 70 -
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nath. Rice - Clerk, Book e Vol. 64 Page 13

State of Virginia Augusta County to wit
On this 23 day of Sept r 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the County Court of Augusta now sitting George Fifer a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged 81 years the 21 st day of February next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 21 st 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States as a Militia man in the month of July in the year 1776 under the command of Capt d Daniel McDaniel and Col Michael Shoop and marched from York Town York County Pennsylvania to Fort See about twelve miles from the City of New York when he enlisted into the regular service of the United States under Capt d Great who was afterwards taken prisoner at the battle at Fort Washington. Declarant from the lapse of memory occasioned by old age does not distinctly remember how long he remained at Fort See but thinks it was about three months, from Fort See he was marched to Fort Washington thence to Trenton where he was stationed a short time, thence he was marched to Princeton, Declarant was never engaged in any battle he was at Fort Washington when the battle was fought there but was prevented from participating in the engagement by reason of a severe attack of the ague and fever with which he was then confined he thinks the battle at Fort Washington was fought in the month of October in the year 76. Declarant was in the regular service for six months that time the period for which he enlisted, he received a written discharge but it has been lost or mislaid for many years, he has no evidence of his services except the affidavit of Michael Shiner's son which is now shown to the court and herewith transmitted. He was born in the year 1753 in the month of February in Lancaster County Pennsylvania from whence he removed to the County of Augusta about 40 years ago where he has resided ever since he has a written record of his age taken from his father's family Bible. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day & year first above written. George Fifer his mark

Augusta County to wit
This day Michael Shiner was personally ap- peared before me a Justice of the Peace, and made the following statement upon oath. That he knew George Fifer since for about the last sixty years and about the year 1776 the aforesaid Fifer left home in a company which left that neighborhood which was in York County (Pennsylvania) I have heard my brother often state that Fifer was in the Army with him and I have heard Fifer often speak about being in the Army and being at Fort Washington sick at the time a battle was fought there. Given under my hand this 21 st day of Jan y 1855
G. McBeckham
We Jacob Beard and Elijah Hogshad residing in the County of Augusta State of Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Fifer who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be about 80 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year first above written
Jacob Beard Elijah Hogshad
and the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investi- gation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a revolu- tionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certify that Jacob Beard and Elijah Hogshad above named are residents of the County of Augusta and credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.

Virginia to wit
I Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the Court of Augusta County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy of the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Fifer for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 30 th day of September 1833 in the 55 th year of the Commonwealth.
Jefferson Kinney Co. Clk.
Augusta County Virginia to wit:
On this 27 th day of January 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Augusta now sitting George Fifer a resident of the County State aforesaid, being the same George Fifer who made & subscribed the foregoing declaration, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oaths make the following additional declaration pursuant to the recommendation of the War Department to supply the deficiencies of his foregoing Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - to the interrogatories prescribed by the Department -
 1. - This Declarant states as in the foregoing declaration that he was born in 1753 in February, in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. -  2. - That he has in his possession the Record of his age taken from his Father's Family Bible. -  3. - That when called into service he was living in York County Pennsylvania when called into service when he continued to reside until about 38 years since when he removed to Augusta County Virginia where he has resided ever since.  4. - That he was drafted into the service & afterwards enlisted as stated in the said foregoing declaration.  5. - That the names of the Officers with whom he served & the general circumstances of his service were as already stated in his said foregoing declaration. To which he has nothing on this point to add. -  6. - That he received a written discharge from service - he does not remember from whom he received it - which discharge he has lost -  7. - He refers to Deeds Richard & Elijah Hoppshead whose Certificate is affixed to his foregoing Declaration & to Michael Shiny sen r whose affidavit is affixed to the same as persons to whom he is known & who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief as to his services. 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
his George Fifer mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the said interrogatories were put by them & answered that  that  the additional investigation of the matter that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. -

Augusta County, Virginia to wit - I George M. Cochran do hereby certify that Michael Shiny sent, whose affidavit is annexed to the declaration of George Fifer bearing date the 24th of January 1833 taken & subscribed by me, is a credible person & that his statement is in entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 27 day of January 1834. -
Geo M. Cochran
I, Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the Court of Augusta County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of George Fifer for a Pension - and that George M. Cochran whose name is affixed to the affidavit of Michael Shiny in the foregoing proceedings contained, & to the above certificate as to the credibility of said affiant Shiny is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the said County of Augusta, & that full faith & credit ought to be given to all his official acts - and that the above is his genuine signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 11th day of February 1834. -
Jefferson Kinney
J. S. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Geo. Fifer 274224 Mail Express
Mr
Oct 14

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of George Fifer a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1776 6 mos. Pvt. Daniel McDaniel Great Michael Irwin Pa       
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, York County Pa.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 23 1833
Residence at date of application, Augusta County Va.
Age at date of application, born Feb. 4 1753 in Lancaster Co. Penn.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

17.949 INVALID!
1921 May 11 Hist. to Mrs. John Florence
File No. 17.949
George Fifer
Die Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 126
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1711.3 Rev.
P. O. Plain City, Ohio.
April 18 th 1921
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
I am writing for the War record (Revolutionary) of George Hifer. of Augusta Co Virginia. On Page 470. VOL II of the  Halbley Chronicle of Augusta Co Va Published by Mary Lockwood. The following George Hifer or Hifer Declaration 28 th September 1833 for Pension. Newline Capt: Daniel McDaniels - Col Michael Swoope - Capt Treat, and Michael Shirley. would like all of the information about him the record shows Respectfully. Mrs John Fitzgane

27. 424
Geo: Lifer - Va
Admit a pri 6 mo H2O
per. & m:
7 Nov:
Diffusion Mining Co Stannton Va

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1852.
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____ A. B.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
☞ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.